Tips for Growing a Kid-Friendly Garden

In the late spring and summer, you might be looking to take advantage of the nice weather by practicing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning outside. Well, great news! Gardening is a simple way for anyone to catch some rays, explore science and even grow together as a family. Keep reading to discover simple steps for bringing this experience to life in your own backyard.

Do Your Research

The best part of hands-on learning is that it’s fun! Maximize your child’s learning by giving them a foundation of knowledge that will make them comfortable and confident exploring on their own. One easy way to get your child excited about science and gardening is through interesting and informative children’s books. Check out “Easy Peasy: Gardening for Kids” by Kristen Bradley and “Plant It! Grow It, Eat It” by Little Grasshopper Books to present various ways to plant, grow and appreciate the process of gardening in kid-friendly ways.

Plan, Prep and Get Planting

Letting your child help with the planning is another surefire way to help them feel closer to the garden from the beginning. Take this time as an opportunity to discuss materials and pick a spot to plant with your child. From one small pot to a full field, you can inspire learning in any space – whether you can set aside a small patch in your yard for a variety of wildflowers or grow herbs and vegetables in planters on your windowsill, balcony or deck.

You might want to gauge your child’s interest in gardening with a simple STEM activity first, and before you can get outside, gather the supplies you’ll need to avoid frustration later. Along with containers, seeds, soil and other necessities, make sure your child has their own set of durable, kid-friendly tools so they can help with planting and care! This guide from KidsGardening.org will help you get started if you choose to explore container gardening. Consider plants native to your area that are quick to grow and low maintenance, which helps to keep kids interested as they watch their hard work pay off.

Continue to Grow

As the plants grow, your child will too. Encourage them to take care of their garden by watering, weeding, watching for destructive insects and nurturing the seedlings as they pop up. Support your child by answering questions, reminding them to practice patience and helping them keep their plants healthy along the way. While they watch science come to life, they will build skills like responsibility, independence and curiosity!

Sometimes, gardening does not go as we hoped due to factors within and outside of our control, but that’s OK – you can use this as an opportunity to demonstrate persistence! You might have to remind your child to practice trial and error if their plants are not thriving in their current environment and empower them to experiment as they solve problems and expand their plant selections. Most of all, make sure they feel accomplished as they watch their garden grow.

Learn More

Check out our blog for more ideas you can use to bring STEM learning to life outdoors.